Kodaikanal, 'Switzerland of the East', Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu

Providing a bird's eye view of the abundance of scenic beauty of Kodaikanal is the Green Valley View point, formerly known as 'Suicide Point'. Renamed Green Valley View, apparently to prevent people from being lured to commit suicides. It is on the route to Pillar Rocks, near the prestigious Kodaikanal Golf Club. The Road along this route is full of cool green darkness with the trees making a canopy overhead.

The sheer drop of 5,000 feet overlooking the Vaigai Dam to the South, this place is enveloped by a thick layer of clouds most of the time, and violet smog envelopes the distant hills, the mist rises from the valley, imparting a fabulous beauty to the scene. This place portrays a stunning view of the valley dressed and undulating green velvet carpet of vegetation. The mist and clouds rising from the valley, imparts a solemn, out-of-this-world beauty to the scene. It offers some unforgettable spectacles of the hill resort.

From the parking lot, one has to walk uphill a few steps to reach this view point. The small semi circular view point is protected by a wall and high fence, but it is usually torn down by unscrupulous Tourists who want to have a "better" view into the Valley. Going beyond the fence is very dangerous and not advisable. There would be plenty of Monkeys, so beware of your eatables, better leave them locked in your vehicle. The pathway leading to the viewpoint is full of shops loaded with home made chocolates, fancy ornaments and so called 'evergreen' flowers.